4:00am: A team source tells Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe that the Red Sox will make an attempt on Bailey (Twitter link).
12:41am: The Red Sox have yet to be aggressive on the Andrew Bailey front, but will meet with Oakland to discuss the former AL Rookie of the Year tomorrow, tweets Danny Knobler of CBS Sports.
Bailey, 27, is a logical target for the BoSox who lost Jonathan Papelbon to free agency very early this offseason. The Red Sox haven't hidden their interest in acquiring a closer. One report stated that it was their second priority behind David Ortiz, and they've been linked to Ryan Madson multiple times. It also appears that top setup man Daniel Bard is comfortable transitioning to the rotation should new GM Ben Cherington acquire a closer.
Bailey, who posted a 3.24 ERA and 8.9 K/9 with 24 saves in 41 2/3 innings this season, has also drawn interest from the Padres, Angels, and Rangers.
No. Stop this. You have more pressing needs than selling the farm for a closer.
He wouldn’t “cost the farm”, Reddick/lowrie, maybe Weiland and another prospect
You overvalue your “prospects” almost as much as Cubs fans do . . .
It’s going to take a bigger headliner than an injury prone Lowrie or Reddick.
How overvalued? I never said lowrie would be center piece. He’s a good utility infielder, and Reddick is going to be a solid starting OF. Weiland has shown early promise, whether its mid rotation starter, or out of the BP. and then throw in a mid-level prospect. Reddick isn’t injury prone btw
I don’t think these are the type of prospects the A’s are looking for. These are the type of guys you get if your in a win now position. The A’s are looking for guys around 19-21 who have showed success in the minors.
cringing at the idea of handing over a middlebrooks or a bogaerts for a closer. as opposed to bad contracts for relievers as i am, it hurts worse to overpay in prospects
thornton should require much less than bailey. i’d much prefer them to go that route
you know those are the two that Billy is going to want…cancel the meeting ben, you aren’t ready for it!!!
little to no chance Red Sox would trade Middlebrooks. If anybody, it would be Youkilis
Interesting, because Billy Beane is very fond of Youk…
On MLB 2k12:
1. Trade Kevin Youkilis
2. acquire David Wright
3. ???
4. Profit
He was fond of him in 2002, yes…
That was TEN years ago! Give it up, Beane’s going to say “Middlebrooks or I walk”
I agree.
1st thing Cherrington should do is just remove beane’s phone number from his phone, since he thinks that every player on his roster is HOF caliber when it comes to cost for return and trying to make a deal is a 100% waste of time.
Also with you on at least seeing if Williams might be reasonable with regards to Thornton, then skip over to Boras and see if he gets off of his high horse and thinking anyone will give trouble maker Rodriquez any type of contract more than 1 year with a club option for 2.
You can’t blame Beane for getting maximum value on his players when dealing them. Blame the dopes who go through with the deal. I assume you were exaggerating, but Beane has made some sweetheart deals in the past (Scutaro to TOR, Mulder to STL) that didn’t get him a lot of return. I don’t understand why fans of other teams think Beane is some scary monster who’s sole purpose is to fleece other teams. The A’s have got some rebuilding to do, the Sox have good enough prospects, and they need a closer. No need to burn a bridge here.
Doesn’t really change the fact it takes way too long to get anything done with Beane, like trying to work out a FA contract with Boras.
No harm if some general managers feel it is really worth it to waste time and effort, then pay too much for a player in the end, that is their prerogative and as you just showed for example, it generally happens hen days, sometimes weeks of negotiations with beane finally come to a conclusion.
In many cases just think going to a plan “B” is better in the long run.
The As have been rebuilding since about 99.
Or 2008, whatever….
How was getting Haren&Barton&Calero for Mulder a “sweetheart deal”? Scutaro was terrible until he went to the Jays. He got maximum value for them, as he will get maximum value for Bailey.
Whoops, I misspoke. I was thinking of the Hudson deal. As for Scutaro, he was at least a serviceable utility infielder, which the A’s received two AA pitchers that I don’t care to look up because they were that bad.
picture billy beane saying “and then” over and over and over
Beane has been reasonable in the past. I mean the package that he sought for Harden was not out of line. I think the fanboys on here are overplaying the A’s hand in terms of what they would want. Conversely, Matt has underestimated and misdirected their wants. They want young, cheap prospects with serious potential. I think a package of Kolbrin Vitek, Brandon Worman and Cesar Cabral would be enough in Beane’s eyes. I think that’s a tolerable package to deliver on for a decent 27 year-old closer with 3 years of control remaining.
Am I crazy or is Hanley Ramirez available, its about time for him to come home
no thanks. attitude problems, not what the Red Sox needs
Attitude problems have won many championships (86 Mets, 72-74 A’s, 78 Yanks, 05 White Sox…)
i’d love him at third, but not for what he’d cost. the marlins should keep him and probably will
weiland could be a good choice… he would benefit from playing in that cavernous place the A’s call ballpark
Weiland is better than he showed last season. There were a couple of games where he seemed to be settling in and than the defense let him down and he wasn’t able to slow the game down. There are a lot of closers on the market and that can be had for a promising Starter. Weiland for Bailey is not outlandish and is a good place to start
I agree. Francona did not do either Weiland or Miller any favors by the way he handled them in game situations. And yes, Weiland’s second start was a quality start, as I remember (6 inn./3 er). Immediately after that outing they shipped him back to Pawtucket. He pitched poorly in P-tucket and with the RS, in Sept., after that. I think they messed with his confidence.
Go figure!
Middlebrooks / Brentz & Riddick at least.
Just died of laughter.
chronicles of riddick? (hint: no your red sox players)
Without trying to be too critical of beane, nor show disrespect to Oakland and how bad they want prospects in return for some pitching… But I am not even sure Boston would consider moving Middlebrooks and Ranaudo for a top of the line starter, unless that person had at least a couple ears of team control, much less any relief pitcher.
That said? It is perfectly the type of return Beane would ask for in exchange for Bailey (should Boston ask) and exactly why Boston should not even bother with Beane in the 1st place..
Edit: Apologies.. I meant Bryce Brentz rather than Ranaudo. Ranaudo was in response to another post above and wanted to clarify that.
Middlebrooks and Ranaudo should not only bring back Bailey but a starter as well, not Gio but at least Cahill(sp?)
Totally agree, I feel like this is smoke and mirrors for the Red Sox to low ball a FA closer.
This whole thing stinks of a negotiation tactic.
Makes no sense, why give up the two positions the Red Sox will need in the near future (starting pitching and 3rd base) for a closer, when you have Bard and 3 other closers on the FA market still?
For a guy who only throws one inning if its close and the Sox are ahead?
Ok I don’t get the fear of Billy Beane trades.
The guys that could take you to the cleaners were Kevin Towers and Mark Shapiro.
I know this is crazy but since they are linked with Gio also, I think they should somehow see if they can get both. I know that will include a lot of our really good prospects but you get 2 needs with one trade. But we shall see what happens obviously.
Lars Anderson and Boom! goes the dynamite. But seriously Ben…just go sightseeing tomorrow.
I know this sounds crazy and I know I am going to get a lot of stuff about it but I am thinking since they are now linked with Bailey and Gio, why not see if you can get both. I know that is going to require ATON of good prospects but I think they should at least try. You get 2 needs filled in 1 trade and they are both very young and talented.
Here I could see guys previously mentioned (- middlebrooks). lowrie/reddick/weilland, and then ranauldo/brentz/anderson
The thought definitely crossed my mind as well… but I feel as though they would ask for Youk plus top prospects. Worth it? Maybe… With the closer and starter taken care of for a reasonable price, perhaps the Sox could then target A-Ram, or just put lowrie at 3rd (though then the offense would take a serious hit)
No reason for the A’s to go after Youkilis. They’re looking at trades to restock their farm and save money while they build with an eye toward a new stadium. Youkilis is controlled for two more seasons at an average of $12.5MM per.
Ya I agree that the don’t really need him, but Beane has always loved Youk and he fits into exactly what the A’s are all about. Even teams that are rebuilding need some sort of attraction for fans and a 3rd/1st/DH with >.900 OPS for 12 mil is certainly not expensive even for the A’s
I agree with you. I could see that trade happening for all the reasons you pointed out. I don’t agree with it, but I could see it happening. Personally I’d keep Youkilis and sign Madson, but ownership is hellbent on staying below the luxury tax threshold and seems determined to keep Ortiz, so they have to shed payroll somewhere.
If they went after both it would probably be a three team deal. The Sox are up against the LT threshold. So if they want Gio and Bailey the will need to deal Youk for prospect(+salary relief) and flip those prospects to Oakland(+a couple of their own). Then start Middlebrooks/Lowrie at 3B this season. Aram is out of the question, old and will cost too much. Having Middlebrooks and Lowries manning 3B will help save some $. I’m not saying this is a likely solution, but to pry both of those guys from Oakland, something along these line will need to be done.
If I had to make a package it would be something like Ranaudo+Reddick+Vitek+Doubront(+2 prospect from some Youk trade). The A’s get a couple MLB ready players to help fill holes now, plus a couple high upside guys for down the road for when they get a new stadium(hopefully). I’m not saying it has to only be those players, but a package of MLB ready talent + talent with upside thats a couple years away is something Oakland may have interest in.
Middlebrooks is not ready at all & it’s doubtful that he’ll be ready at all in 2012, let alone at the beginning.
Dreaming if you think A’s would get Middlebrooks.
Not a chance. They aren’t going to trade top prospects for a closer, especially one with an injury history.
Then Bailey will not be in Boston then. Simple.
Eventually, the A’s wont be able to sign him, he will end up in a big market any ways and the A’s end up with draft pick. Not a very prudent and organizational stance. Eff you I am taking my ball and going home if I dont get what I want.
how Republican of you guys in Oakland.
Because the Red Sox saying no this one time means the A’s will never try to trade Bailey again…
There are still plenty of teams with interest in Bailey this offseason, and even if he’s not dealt, the A’s still have him for a few more years. They can deal him at midseason, next offseason, next midseason…
Dreaming if you think Gio will be traded to the redsox.
Boston doesn’t have any prospects.
Hahahaha, nor MLB players. They are a bunch of overpaid, high-maintenance bunch of bums! =P
Although, I do like Pedroia and Ellsbury!
Yes bc A-Gon is terrible only placing in the MVP award and not winning. Who would want a young, nice, personable, family man who plays gold glove 1st base and smashes 30+ 110+ each year.
Terrible!!!!! Release Him Today!!!!
Ur a few hours late showing up to disrespect Boston and their farm system, then taking into account you know -0- about any of them except for what a few people write here….
Hahaha, that made me laugh. Don’t talk about an organization you clearly know nothing about
This is just simply NOT TRUE. The Red Sox issue is they traded their high level prospects to obtain Adrian last year. The Sox farm in the lower minors is in really good shape.
This needs to be settled. The Red Sox do have some real good prospects. Now, are any of them major league ready? No. But I’ve read countless times that the Red Sox mid to low A ball teams are “loaded” with talent. So the Sox have guys teams would want, it’s not like their farm is completely baron.
And seeing as Beane tipped his hand that the A’s are likely to move to San Jose by 2015, he exactly is looking for A+AA prospects who’s ETA’s are about 2014 or ’15. So, Ranaudo and maybe a throw in like Hassan for Bailey seems about fair. Remember, this is Boston coming to Beane, not Beane actively trying to move him.
A-friggin’-men.
Red Sox give up a starting pitching prospect, arguably their best for a closer when they are actively looking for starting pitching…
Explain the logic?
Filling the bullpen with a solid closer would allow Bard or Aceves to go to the rotation. That solves one of the spots. It would be a good move if they can get him for Reddick and a prospect or 2. After that I hope they would try to trade for Carlos Quentin. Or maybe sign Willingham or Beltran.
i think everybody understands beane is shopping his guys. the problem is that most of the offers boston would be comfortable making can and would be bested by other interested clubs